An old man was gathering sticks in a forest. 
　　

●有个老人在森林中砍了不少柴，十分吃力地挑着走了很远的路。

At last he grew very tired and hopeless. He threw down all the sticks and cried out, "I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah, I wish Death would come and take me!"

●一路上他累极了，实在挑不动了，便扔下柴担，叫喊起来："这种日子我受不了了，死神啊，带我走吧。

"As he spoke, Death appeared, and said to him, "What would you do, old man? I heard you call me."
　　

●这时，死神来了，对他说："老头，你想做什么，我听见你叫我?"
　

　"Please, sir," replied the old man, "would you help me lift this bundle of sticks up to my shoulder?"
　　　　

●"先生，"老人说，"您能帮忙将那担子放在我的肩上吗?"
　　

寓意: 即使生活不幸，人们仍需爱惜生命。